DNA links were also made with the other suspects and on mats in the Passat, according to the prosecution.

Mr Justice Treacy was also told a top McVeigh was wearing when stopped on the night of the alleged murder bid matched that on the man depicted on CCTV footage crouching down at the officer’s vehicle.

The Crown lawyer said: “There is material that we will suggest points to him being the person actually placing the device.”

Opposing bail, he added: “Whoever carried it out, it was undoubtedly a murderous attempt on (the life of) a member of the security forces.”

Dessie Hutton, defending, responded that the DNA findings backed his claims of a weak prosecution case.

He also argued there was no evidence the Passat had been in the village of Eglinton that night, with police instead forming “suppositions”.

Denying bail, however, Mr Justice Treacy held there was a prima facie case of involvement in attempted murder.

Although recognising McVeigh is not charged with membership of a terrorist organisation, the judge added: “If you are a participant of a group that is not accepting the democratic will of the people of this island, but rejecting that and seeking to murder fellow citizens, there must be a risk of reoffending if released on bail.”